University of Worcester Launches UK's First Postgraduate Course for Medical Writers

The University of Worcester has launched the UK's first postgraduate certificate (PgCert) for Medical Writers.

The Medical Communications PgCert will prepare bioscience graduates to work within medical communications companies and in the pharmaceutical industry.

It has been developed by former medical writer Dr Shelley Davies, who is now a lecturer in the Institute of Science and the Environment at the University of Worcester.

Dr Davies said: “The field of medical communications is growing as a support network for the pharmaceutical industry and medical writers are in high demand.

“Medical Writers are key to the dissemination of new scientific data and findings generated from drug studies – this is essential for a drug to progress from development stages to approval for the treatment of patients. Medical writers use their scientific background to develop and manage scientific content for international congresses, medical journals and marketing/promotion.”

This part-time one-year course is the first of its kind in the UK. It offers a new vocational opportunity for graduates of the biosciences/life sciences and for those with relevant professional experience wishing to take a new career direction.

Dr Davies said: “Being a medical writer is a very interesting, challenging and broad role that many graduates are unaware of. It requires specific training and the difficulty is getting relevant postgraduate experience, which is advantageous as competition for trainee roles is strong.

“This course will prepare graduates for a career in the industry, making them attractive to employers in the field and I am extremely pleased with the interest we have received so far.”

To find out more about the course, including entry requirements, contact Dr Shelley Davies at s.davies@worc.ac.uk